NCL Prima eastbound 15 days TA (Live) 27 Apr, 2024 - N.Y. to Southampton via Halifax, Iceland & EU ports - preview intro

[Sugar Magnolia]

29 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Tina Turner, Proud Mary?

 

I saw her as the Warm Up act for the Stones Tattoo Your Tour.

Amazing concert.

 

Creole Lady Mamalade? 

 

Those are good ones!

 

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

None of those songs will help. Please think of others.

 

How about Going to Mexico by the Steve Miller Band?

 

The first lines of the song are:

Pack my bags

I'm ready to go

 

And that is sung to a real catchy tune.

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

How about Going to Mexico by the Steve Miller Band?

 

The first lines of the song are:

Pack my bags

I'm ready to go

 

And that is sung to a real catchy tune.

 

Excellent choice!

[mking8288]

Hate to share these news for anyone traveling post-cruise and flying out of LHR or London's Heathrow Int'l Airport on 12th or 13th of May ... awareness is key. A niece living in London texted me and I thought she was joking with her uncle H.  Nope. 

 

Edited April 24 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

4 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Hate to share these news for anyone traveling post-cruise and flying out of LHR or London's Heathrow Int'l Airport on 12th or 13th of May ... awareness is key. A niece living in London texted me and I thought she was joking with her uncle H.  Nope. 

 

 

Thank you Henry, for the heads-up. I always manage to coordinate my UK travels with these strikes.

 

[mking8288]

31 minutes ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

Thank you Henry, for the heads-up. I always manage to coordinate my UK travels with these strikes.

NP, I am just the "messenger" of news and gossips around here, not a good fortune teller (stopped playing/buying lottery tickets & those scratch-offs years ago)   Aren't you going to hang up over there somewhere, hop around & get another ship back across - not the QM2 as that's not to your liking, someone "claimed".  

 

Oops, Canadian CC'er on the roll call asked if Gatwick is a non-union shop or not, and whether or not, and how operations will be affected.  Better printout or save that PDF of our 3rd party travel policy & terms of coverage/exclusions ... already filed our Travel Notices with date ranges with Citi, maybe I should extend that a bit, just in case. 

[Fogfog]

OK 2 things

 

1- Yikes-- so this could spill over to Gatwick couldn't it. 

We don't fly til later in the week yet this is quite a wrinkle and could impact/move folks over. 

Thanks for the heads up

 

2- 

@Sugar Magnolia   now I have an "ear worm" of Creole Lady Marmalade... 😆  

 

[Fogfog]

https://news.sky.com/story/heathrow-strikes-to-cause-disruption-to-flights-full-list-of-dates-and-airlines-affected-13121938

 

 

"A Heathrow spokesman said: "We are reorganising our operations to deliver better results for our customers. There are no job losses as a result of these changes, ..."

🤪

Edited April 24 by Fogfog

[mking8288]

An update - here she comes, left PP on time heading north.  Windy app forecast showing a fair to good journey en route. 

 

 

Norwegian Pearl is setting up for 3 TA ahead, pacing at 15 kts north of Chesapeake Bay off eastern Maryland, looks good & on schedule to dock in the morning. Carnival V further back arriving on the 26th around 4 AM. 

 

No signs along this stretch of speed restrictions, slowdown is mostly closer off NJ around Sandy Hook & Ambrose as ships approach NY Lower Bay and with pilot boat escort as appropriate.

 

ETA as given at this afternoon 🤔 we shall see - not a licensed marine pilot, so what do I know 😬   Feel free to draw your own conclusions and uninformed guess. 

 

Station Zebra, going 10-3, 10-7 for now for a coffee break and resume final prep'  😎 ...   standing by. 

Edited April 24 by mking8288

[Arzeena]

On 4/18/2024 at 11:34 AM, mking8288 said:

Info & tips w photos -

Embarkation and Disembarkation in NYC ... true for the Prima and/or other NCL ships using Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Pier 88 (90 and 92, seldom used) 

Prima's repo cruise from Miami to NY via Caribbean doesn't have an active CC roll call and questions came up on the forum/board here as to what to do ... rebooked flights (already) to catch and ways of getting off "early" if they dock & begin express self walk-off by 10 to 10:30, sooner the better ("selfish" I know - then, zero count is called and "we" can start embarkation ... and no USCG or public health inspections, etc. etc.) 

 

A quick visual - cheat sheet/guide in getting to MCT - Pier 88:

 

 

Here's a link to that roll call with posted pictures & my suggestions to "Mark" on how & what - 

 

Meanwhile, for the Prima TA, our fairly busy & active roll call with folks coming into NYC early to sightsee and explore the city during weekdays - more photos compiled & collected over the past few sailings lately, together with suggestions & tips, not an absolute or definitive guide - 

perhaps in that "good to know" and useful category - yours truly not running the M&G.  

 

 

Perhaps, these "resource info-sharing" can and will show "them" the way in joining and coming over to CC instead of forming 3 sub-groups within a sailing's private group, and not poach and hijack our gathering ... really getting annoyed.  Call me biased in staying with CC's platform over the years.  No further comments or replies to this side bar necessary, more later post-cruise when I get to the wrap up, perhaps.  

 

There is another Live report onboard the Prima, already seen by some of you by @Travelicious "Semi-live 48 day adventure" going to be rather informative, fun, interesting and keeping CC "addicts" not on a cruise, busy in following along.  

 

 

Following very closely~!😉

6 pages behind already.

Edited April 25 by Arzeena

[Coachyo]

On 4/23/2024 at 5:45 PM, Fogfog said:

On OBC--I think the Starbucks was a No for the stockholder OBC. The list from the Haven concierge advising us on what we can not use it on was rather "unfortunate". I will see if I can post it later

Fogfog, curious about the list from the Haven about stockholder credit, did they send it to you or did you get it after boarding on previous cruise?  Hope you're able to post it.

Thanks

[Fogfog]

8 hours ago, Coachyo said:

Fogfog, curious about the list from the Haven about stockholder credit, did they send it to you or did you get it after boarding on previous cruise?  Hope you're able to post it.

Thanks

Sent it to my spouse who asked for clarification 

Dropping an excursion.

Upgrading some things and wanted to clarify so had a better idea on the timing.

We are up super early this am as everyone here as early am biz appts. I will ask for a cut -paste to me later today. 

IMHO As long as its spent on the current sailing, I don't think they should restrict it from DSC and grats certs to crew etc. Its still money from my pocket to theirs. First world problem. We bought it at the 52 week low so with the $250 its a nice return. Just not as useful as it could be if you aren't a shopper and already have specialty dining etc. KWIM

[dexddd]

Our few trips, well 2/3, have been troubled to LHR.  Kind of like going to GSC.

 

Regional weather delayed a day then circle due to US Pres coming in.  Next was Iceland volcano which had us looking at QM2 to get there.  Third was NCL air day of and was no issue.

[Arzeena]

On 4/21/2024 at 11:43 AM, mking8288 said:

 

 

Just connected with another good CC friend again, now living in the sunshine state and we shared some rather unique challenges with CC roll call several years ago.  

 

Hmmmm. Wonder who???!!!!!😉😁😆

 

[Arzeena]

And since both are posting here in this thread, I will admit that I had to do a "search" on profiles of @graphicguy and the other great reviewer (@....boy) to see what other cruise reviews they are doing so I can follow along there too.

Henry was kind enough to email me about this live. Thank you.

[Arzeena]

On 4/21/2024 at 8:13 PM, mking8288 said:

LOL and with thanks. Nope, I haven't thought of doing something similar, packing "light" - let's leave that for later.  I try to plan & individualized on a per trip basis and what is essential and desirable to have, DW always tell this old guy to bring less along ... then she raid mine for chargers, cables, adapters & plugs, 😆 haha. 

 

Here's a few more from recent trips, would love to bring along my 2 meters/70cm portable radio to use as a scanner, common VHF marine frequencies, PTP simplex on port traffic, alas not permitted onboard. 

 

 

BTW, that's noise cancelling earbuds, MPOW is the old brand, pretty good from Amazon - not hearing aid, and does a good job inflight and other places, not disturbing others nearby.  Home system, a 8 speakers subwoofer system, don't feel like spending $$ for mobile Bose - easily lost and Grado, too bulky to fit compactly (heard of them ?)  A pair of old fashion Apple earbuds with USB adapter works fine for me as newer ones don't have the headset jack. Sennheiser and Xiaomi are good too, compact & slipped into a pocket - no pouches (plastic film - packed inside a pair of socks)

I

 

For a shorter cruise, I get by with a Chromebook and 6 port USB dongle ... otherwise, Sony Vaio on Linux is now the choice.  Longer land vacation or trips, Dell notebook NVMe SSD 32GB memory W11Pro.  A matter of picking & choosing to match the main components ... and some spares & backup options - otherwise, try to keep it as simple as possible. 

 

Hence, "Station Zebra" is really & truly scalable ... itching lately to get into the solar area.  That 4.x earthquake recently, a modest wake up call for some - not just from rising sea levels along the coastlines. 

 

 

For this TA, most likely, leaving Roku w remote at home, but since I am bringing a HDMI cable to experiment, will leave the 2 oz. Chromecast in the tech pouch *** more on the Samsung next. 

 

 

With these 3 adapters, absolutely can getaway without a power strip, with or without surge protection circuit on the Prima/Viva and Aqua coming soon ... 

 

Glad this is sparking ideas ... happy Passover ? ?

 

Are you taking any clothes or just wires and adapters?🙄😆😆

Some new "Wire" wrapped clothing trend you are setting?😉

[Arzeena]

On 4/23/2024 at 3:21 PM, snorklinbarb said:

Can we pls take a group vote on how much pressure to apply for FogFog to change to SunSun?

 

Before Getaway, knowing that Bermuda had presented a problem 3 wks in a row (well, technical for 1 cruise), it didn't take a super psychic to predict we wouldn't be stopping there though nobody on the rc agreed.  Just the winds alone.  As we boarded, sure enough, "the letter."  

 

I also have really wondered about Iceland due to closures like Blue Lagoon and evacuation of the south, ongoing activity & enormous lava flows.  Again, normal reaction is, "They can alter excursions."   But on Getaway learned a bit more about both ship-used as well as private tour operators & how insurance restrictions can come into play. Blue Lagoon has been closed (still is?) and maybe more spots.

 

Why would I learn this on Getaway?  Well on St. Maarten our "3 hour tour" Double Decker bus all around the island became 6 hrs 10 mins.  A large oil leak caused bad accident up on the point/hill and a 2nd one down below such that in 1 hr 15 mins we had not traversed from one end of the runway to the other!  Sitting on uncushioned seats. Those who vied for the top found themselves in at least 3 good downpours.  Tour operator explained how they were in touch with the ship and since it was a 9:20 am shorex we had nothing to worry about.  With the "Late 8" in Africa fresh on our minds, a lively discussion flowed since we had nothing to do but sit & wait.  Had it been a little later in the day, the ship would have waited for us....unless it were so late they would have to go sooner or later.  2 diabetics in the group found gelato at 2 pm. as we were at a total standstill.

 

Usually the transatlantic crowd taking a northerly crossing is pretty "go with the flow."  (or crazy).  We'll be waiting for Pearl updates for some clues!  Thanks, Henry!

Barb, OMG

I met you on the NCL Dawn yearssss ago!

[JIMESOPUS]

@Arzeena Was on that roll call, never seen before several pages disappear overnight. 

I think @mking8288 is starting a new trend, they have a Black Tape project, why not a Black Wire project.

[mking8288]

T minus 2 ... 

Online check-in closed at 3 days out.  Today is the last day to pre-book NCL shorex. 

Upgrade Advantage bidding is still accepted ... nothing is final until sailing.  

Boarding docs and eLuggage tags all printed, other confirmations for tours, flights home printed and PDF saved.  

 

Norwegian Pearl has docked around 7 AM this morning at Pier 88 for her TA, late last night or several hours out from NYC doing 15 kts, already passed Atlantic City area (southern NJ coastal) - have a very good & active roll call, maybe some onboard will do a semi-live report en route.  Their embarkation should be fairly "routine"   Carnival Venezia is about a day behind, sailing north doing 17 kts with a pre-dawn arrival on the 26th.  Tracking both ships for their speed in-bound as they approach Ambrose Channel toward NY Lower Bay - area subject to speed restrictions due to whales.  Reasons - give us better indications of our delayed time to check-in, embark to start the vacation, etc. 

 

Meanwhile, Prima has been maintaining close to her top speed, cruising at 21+ kts toward NY, afternoon into evening, and late night.  ETA as given ... MarineTraffic with slightly earlier arrival time into MCT or Pier 88 on the 27th.

Going to be looking for the Prima here

 

Edited April 25 by mking8288

[cruiseny4life]

6 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Going to be looking for the Prima here

What a gorgeous sky this morning! 

[Sugar Magnolia]

10 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

What a gorgeous sky this morning! 

 

Wish you could join us.

 

[mking8288]

@Arzeena  Hahaha, first, apology as I should've "alerted" you to start reading earlier to catch up on our busy cruiselife but you know ... and I am not even responsible for the M&G, just keeping the lines straight, the t's and the d's crossed to have a good headcount, plus the other "stuff" which we won't get into her.  What's this thing that @JIMESOPUS is referring to, think I have an idea, happening to a # of other roll calls, whatever.  No, I am packing more than wires & cables, smartphones, tablet, adapter, accessories and those washy washy items (remember the "Escape" norovirus ... do not want to go thru that again)  Let me think about a mini Black Wire Project - whatever it means - later when this is behind us.  Susan found room to put "my" iPad mini in her carry-on and leaving her iPad home (too heavy to carry - LOL) - Apple better not do another iOS "urgent" security update in the next several days, since its' all set & powered down, fully charged for gaming, etc.  Isn't it great to find & see other old friends thru this live report - got a feeling both new & old time CC'ers are going to pop up here, cheers all. 

[graphicguy]

22 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

 

I have thought about that...

 

And frankly, if everyone else overpacks, I can just borrow from my new found CC friends. I should perhaps pack my own underwear, though.

 

I LIKE IT!

 

Toothbrush/toothpaste...underwear....meds.  That's it.

 

Clothes on your back and buy more as needed.

 

 

Edited April 25 by graphicguy

[mking8288]

Weather forecasts on ports and while at sea crossing the north Atlantic toward Iceland, at this moment, based on several online sources are looking good - for sailway, short hop to Halifax and continuing to Reykjavik ... nothing that look bad, nasty or real rough, 10' to 15' seas or even 20' should be expected but for others, maybe not.  Going to count on Windy App to help with predicting ahead.  Prima's ship navigational channel provides very basic, limited and inadequate information to look ahead ... unless they finished the upgrade (in progress, last November - haven't heard anything different otherwise)  

 

Changed out some clothings and jacket to be even better prepared for wet weather in Europe, warmer than usual for this time of the year and less "heavy" winter gears, layers is the buzz word.  @Sugar Magnolia  DW frequently "borrow" my XXXL tees as sleepwear, LOL - don't have a choice but to pack extras; and, to make max use of free onboard laundry services, especially now that they've reverted back to the full-sized paper laundry bag for steerage use. I have an extra 30L stowaway backpack and "personal bag" sized compression cube, should you or someone need to borrow, LOL.   ("bonafide" onboard CC'ers in good standing only)

 

Prima has been maintaining her cruise speed of 21 kts +/1 toward NY, seas are calm, sunny skies - ETA on CruiseMapper given as 08:00 on 27th Apr.  Unless NCL is going to have the Prima (and Getaway, 2 days later for the TA) slow down for other "unforeseen" reasons, besides fuel saving ... to sail & sustain and to observe other maritime regulations including whales protection, I question how late she's arriving into NY.

 

Other cruise lines and their ships apparently have been speeding up & down, and along the coastal waters near NY & NJ area, breaking the "rules" whereas NCL must be a good corporate citizen, hmmm.  Then, again, what do I know - humors intended, just an unproven theory. 

 

 

Link to live Prima shipcam - might have to refresh this or type in the URL on a new (mobile)browser page to see - https://www.ncl.com/shipcams/primacam/fullsize.jpg 

(ad blocks/VPN might need to be disabled)

 

 

Second day in a row, more NCL "spam" emails about safety videos on Youtube, just click & let the 90seconds run its course, jump to another tab/browser page and resume.  Maybe they are tracking as to see whether the email was opened or not using AI and placing "cookies" (no, nope, not the edible kinds) when they pushed them to 1,700+ email addresses (# of cabins and/or email addresses, probably more as it's "individually" addressed)  

 

Sea state, waves & crossing the pond - the bigger picture as far as I'm concerned ... since we don't have a "weather master" on the roll call, I'm going to "fake" it as best as I can to call it.  Maybe "Jim" sitting home or somewhere can assume the task or at least backup or help the weather to make it more fun & lively.    Nothing major in the north Atlantic ahead ... 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 25 by mking8288

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Changed out some clothings and jacket to be even better prepared for wet weather in Europe, warmer than usual for this time of the year and less "heavy" winter gears, layers is the buzz word.  @Sugar Magnolia  DW frequently "borrow" my XXXL tees as sleepwear, LOL - don't have a choice but to pack extras; and, to make max use of free onboard laundry services, especially now that they've reverted back to the full-sized paper laundry bag for steerage use. 

I have an extra 30L stowaway backpack and "personal bag" sized compression cube, should you or someone need to borrow, LOL.   

 

So far I have only packed my first aid kit. So yes, I might need to borrow many things from your bag of tricks.

 

Agree, all along I have mentioned it is best to pack multiple thin layers and a good waterproof and windproof shell. Water resistant pants are also recommended. Add a scarf (or a neck gaiter for me), hat and gloves, and I am ready for temperatures above freezing. No parkas or puffy coats for me. I try to avoid the marshmallow look.